Trainers (footwear) designed for riding

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Bangagin

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I bought a new pair of jodhpur boots for hacking, but having worn them the last two days I've realised that they are very snug and restricting around the ankles and I just didn't feel comfortable riding in them yesterday. I almost felt unsafe as my ankles were so rigid. Luckily I didn't throw my old boots out, so will revert to them today. My ankles are also quite stiff (old age) and so I need something that doesn't restrict that joint. Are there any "low cut" options out there? I found some Toggi Norfolk Mule boots whilst searching which look like low cut jod boots. But wondered whether there was something more flexible like a trainer type shoe designed for riding? I imagine endurance riders might use something like this in the summer months.
 
I still ride in the Ariat zip short boots I bought more than 20 years ago. Polished frequently by OH. The modern equivalent is Heritage Zip Paddock Boot.
I wear them with the Tuffa suede half chaps equally old and also zip up.
 
I have tuffa endurance boots as they were cheaper than ariats and although they have never been brilliantly waterproof they are still going 10 years now with little to no maintenance 😅 and I've worked them pretty hard on occasion I even climbed down a mountain in Mongolia in them.
 
I have Shires Moretta lace ups- also have ankle problems, have only ridden in them briefly once, but plan to again, they seem ok. They're pretty comfy for day to day wear too.
 
Cloball said:
I have tuffa endurance boots as they were cheaper than ariats and although they have never been brilliantly waterproof they are still going 10 years now with little to no maintenance 😅 and I've worked them pretty hard on occasion I even climbed down a mountain in Mongolia in them.
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These actually look ideal as the others seem to be cut higher around the ankle. Thanks for the recommendation
 
I hope you like them, I hate recommending things but I've even converted my YO to these 😅just to hammer the point home here I am in my boots having climbed down from here in the snow line sans pony. I took made my guide take the pic and I was very proud of my height fearing wuss self 😂Screenshot_20250529-115955-852~3.png
 
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Bangagin said:
I bought a new pair of jodhpur boots for hacking, but having worn them the last two days I've realised that they are very snug and restricting around the ankles and I just didn't feel comfortable riding in them yesterday. I almost felt unsafe as my ankles were so rigid. Luckily I didn't throw my old boots out, so will revert to them today. My ankles are also quite stiff (old age) and so I need something that doesn't restrict that joint. Are there any "low cut" options out there? I found some Toggi Norfolk Mule boots whilst searching which look like low cut jod boots. But wondered whether there was something more flexible like a trainer type shoe designed for riding? I imagine endurance riders might use something like this in the summer months.
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Oil them repeatedly with neatsfoot oil
 
Spirit7 said:
Oil them repeatedly with neatsfoot oil
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Thanks. I know they will soften and stretch with time, and they are not particularly restrictive when walking in them. But I am having some real issues with my ankles at the moment (can hardly walk downstairs first thing in the morning on waking) and so they are particularly bad - so much so that I am thinking about visiting my physio to see if she can help!
 
It does sound like you'd benefit from physio help. Hope you can get it sorted soon!

I also used ankles supports for my ankles up after a 3-4 month break from riding, as even with stirrups to help my ankles, they really hurt for a while - annoying as I'd kept up off horse ankle strength and mobility physio exercises! They made such a difference and know I'm back riding 5-6 days a week, I don't need them anymore. That might help you too.

Edited for typo's.
 
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I have a pair of Ariat similar to tell you ride and always wore them riding Western or when we went to the USA. Dual purpose meant I could mountain walk and trail ride in the same boots. The trouble with dual purpose is that they are not always perfect for either role. Plus we had extremes of climate. Boots ideal in Texan mid day heat let in a bit of water when forced through mountain snow. But I loved them and still do.
 
MuddyMonster said:
It doesn't sound like you'd benefit from physio help. Hooe you can get it sorted soon!

I also used ankles supports for my ankles up after a 3-4 month break from riding, as even with stirrups to help my ankles, they really hurt for a while - annoying as I'd kept up off horse ankle strength and mobility physio exercises! They made such a difference and know I'm back riding 5-6 days a week, I don't need them anymore. That might help you too.
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Did you mean to say I won't benefit from physio? If so interested to know why.
 
It's also worth looking at different stirrup designs - I wouldn't recommend those with hinged treads but 90 degree offset eyes help some people immensely, as do those with vertical shock absorbing properties. As they're all so expensive do borrow to try if you possibly can (friend, but also a few retailers will let you try before you buy).
 
sbloom said:
It's also worth looking at different stirrup designs - I wouldn't recommend those with hinged treads but 90 degree offset eyes help some people immensely, as do those with vertical shock absorbing properties. As they're all so expensive do borrow to try if you possibly can (friend, but also a few retailers will let you try before you buy).
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Thanks for the tip. Yes some of the stirrups are really expensive. I'm not on a big yard, so it's hard to find ones to try - but now I've gone back to my previous boots I am not finding any ankle pain when riding. So hopefully all is good for now with my bog standard stirrups.
 
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